i'll be in Monterosso in 2 weeks, and on a sunday night i am thinking i might like to go to a concert in Lucca. however, i have a hotel already in Rome which is not cancellable, and i would like to be there to sleep that night.

i think my options are:

1. rent a car, park it at night (i'll arrive at like 2am?, doubt the agency would be open) - this is about 250usd plus the cost of parking the car and gas

2. hire a driver - the hotel indicates a rate of about 1000euros for this option plus 20% for night driving after 10pm.

3. the train - i don't think it runs that late, and the concert isnt likely to be over until 11:15 or so?

am i missing something? is there another way? my hotel is about a 10 minute walk from Termini station, so I'd love to take a train - but I don't think it's feasible.

Thanks in advance!

Roundabout four weeks ago I have driven Roma - Forte dei Marmi in 3 hours 22 min by car. So Lucca - Roma should be possible in less time. But I had a car with a german car number, it was a sunny day and I have also seen the trafipax ( if you like photos of the back of your car... ) along the road!!! If you try this with an italian car number

I think you have to add for the trip Lucca - Roma at least roundabout 4 hours, if you take the car and if you know where to go in Roma. If you have to search in Roma then more than 5 hours... Parking in Roma is a little bit expensive. I have paid for a VW Golf 54 Euro per day!!!

My opinion is: TAKE A DRIVER!!!

BTW: Monterosso = Cinque Terre???

hi, yes - monterosso is cinque terre.

is there a better way of finding a driver than asking at a starwood hotel? one that can drive from lucca to rome possibly?

Ask a local taxi?!

N.C.C. = Noleggio auto con autista

http://www.carrentalswithdriver.com/...e-in-Lucca.htm

http://www.nccboschivoyager.it/

thanks! - i'll contact them and see what they say. i forsee the timing being of issue - but we'll see!

There is a train/bus option - take a train from Lucca at 12:24, then catch a train in Pisa, departs at 2:29 am, and you arrive in Rome c. 5:30 am.

It is certainly at least a 3 hr drive, and longer to get into the centro storico.

If it were me - I'd decide which is more important: concert or losing the hotel deposit and make plans accordingly.

Car services in Italy are very expensive (unless they are taking you to/from the airport) so 1000EU sounds pretty close to right, certainly it would cost 700EU minimum + late night charge + tip/tolls.

A driver to Florence or Pisa and train from there??

With various options running up to 1000 or more, I think I'd look seriously at just letting the hotel room in Rome stay empty for the night and book something inexpensive in Lucca and take the train back the next morning. Seems the most cost-effective option.

The only train that will work w/the OPs schedule departs from Pisa c. 2:30 am.

just an update. i checked a few other places - the cheapest was 700 euro, i assume plus tolls.

thats clearly not worth it.

anyways, thanks for the help! i wasn't aware of that train from pisa at 2:24am. in fact - i was informed by a friend that there were no overnight trains in italy anymore due to people being chloroformed and robbed, etc...

Here is a Train for you

Lucca Bus 52: dep 00:24
Arr: Pisa Centrale 01:07
Pisa Centrale E 809: dep 02:19
rain rapide, compulsory reservation,
seating! in 2nd class only!, (Sleeping-car, Couchettes)
Livorno Centrale 02:35 02:40
Grosseto 03:56 03:58
Civitavecchia 04:53 04:55
Roma Termini 05:51

All found here:
http://plannerint.b-rail.be/bin/quer...es&OK#cis_C0-1

Holy crap! You're actually considering spending $1,400 for a driver? I want to travel with you!

I'd go for the train or rental car just from a cost perspective, and would likely settle on the train. At least you could enjoy a few glasses of wine or get a little sleep on the train and not run the risk of getting ticketed for speeding or ending up in a ditch.

If you do hire a car, don't get one from the hotel. I've found their prices to be up to double what a private service will quote you directly.

Enjoy Lucca and please report back on the concert...with pictures if possible. Sounds great to me!